NEWSWIRE

CANADA DROP OPENER TO DUTCH

Netherlands have soundly defeated Canada by 42 runs in the opener of the T20 Cricket World Cup qualification tournament in Dubai. Calling correctly was Peter Borden at the toss and backed his batsmen to put up a good score. Tom Cooper and Alex Kervezee top scored at 29 with Mudassar Bukhari adding 28 in short order. Harvir Baidwan 3-33 led the way for Canada's bowlers.

Canada's reply was weak with the top order collapsing to 26-5 before Jimmy Hansra (30) and Harvir Baidwan (21) shared a 48 run partnership to bring Canada a measure of respectability.